hmm...

Well, I can give you another progress report, but this one doesn't have pretty pictures. The Alien scarf is done. 5 repeats and fringe that used up all the yarn, and it's pretty impressive, if I do say so myself. Due to a cold snap in DC last week, DH even got to wear it on the metro one day. We'll see it again in a few months (aside from the modeling for photos).
I finished the back of the B&B pullover, and I've cast on and am working on both sleeves. Yep, some sleeves before the front. I think they'll be the most boring, so I want to get them done first.
Now, the real reason why you don't get pictures - I'm not at home (again). Last week I was in California, where I stopped by a fabulous yarn store in Santa Barbara and bought some cotton yarn for a summery top, and translated copies of Rebecca (which I have not previously found in a LYS) and Drops by Garnstudio, which I have never seen before. I'm so excited by my expensive-but-it's-OK-they're-European magazines. Unfortunately, she didn't have any Phildar, so I still can't be a Phildar filly. Maybe at the next yarn store...
And now, I'm in Florida. The panhandle of Florida, which is a very homey, friendly place to be... and also a bit, erm, remote. Nary a yarn store in sight (or in the phone book) either. I only have the B&B sleeves to keep me company. I'm not sure how long I'll be here, but I think (hope) I'll be home before next Saturday. So far I've been working too hard to get much knitting done, but I'll try to change that (if only my job would cooperate!).
'Til next time!

Progress Report

OK, time for a nice update on my current projects. I haven't officially joined the Spring Knit-Up, but I probably should, since I definitely plan on finishing these things before starting anything else (I say now).

First, progress on Tanja... none. So no picture. To recap, though, I have the body up to the armpits done, one sleeve up to the armpit, and the cuff of the other sleeve. Now I just need to change needles (which means I need to find the bigger ones, which, honestly, is the reason why not much progress has been made recently), do the sleeve color work, and then knit a few inches in the round. Then I will be ready to join the second sleeve, do the yoke, and be done! Of course, by then it will be July, and I would be sweltering in my 100% wool sweater. (Reason 2 why I haven't been working on this lately).

Second, progress on Dan's Alien Illusion Scarf? Check!

That's 4 of 5 alien repeats done! Actually, I should say, 4 of the 5 I was planning to do... See, I wasn't sure when I bought the yarn that I would have enough for 6 repeats (as the pattern calls for). I decided 5 would be plenty. But now I definitely have enough yarn left, and Dan is clamoring for a longer scarf, so it's probably going to wind up being 6 repeats. Which means I'm only 66% done instead of 80%. Oh well. At least it goes pretty quickly.

Third, what about that Bed & Breakfast Pullover
(from the Fall 2003 Interweave Knits)? Have you be working on that? Why, yes I have! Here's proof:

That's almost all of the back done, baby! Only a front and two sleeves to go! (OK, so that's still most of the sweater, but I've made progress!). I'm using Austermann Rubino, which has to be one of my favorite yarns. This is a deep teal color, and I've got navy blue contrast at the hem.

And, amazingly, that's all of the projects that I currently have on the needles (well, that aren't still packed in boxes somewhere). Looks manageable, right?

Happy Sarah

Have you ever seen a happier Sarah? My bed is made all the comfier with lots of yarn! We visited the Alafoss Lopi factory store in Mossfellbaer, Iceland. I got three pattern books and the yarn to make 3 sweaters - two for me and one for Dan. Plus a few balls of sockyarn and a bit of extras (of course!). Altogether, the yarn for the 3 sweaters cost me just a little bit more than buying one. Of course, I still have to put them together!

And then, the next day, we were at the grocery store to buy some lunch, and you'll never guess what I found... more yarn! And on clearance! Egyptian cotton for only about $1.30 a ball. So I bought some. And then there were Addi turbos for about $2. Which I also bought. Basically, our souvenirs from Iceland consist of some pictures (which I put up on the web here), a pack of playing cards with Islandic whales, some Brennivin schnapps, and the yarn. Really, that's about it. But what fun!